search.noResults

search.searching

note.createNoteMessage

search.noResults

search.searching

orderForm.title

orderForm.productCode
orderForm.description
orderForm.quantity
orderForm.itemPrice
orderForm.price
orderForm.totalPrice
orderForm.deliveryDetails.billingAddress
orderForm.deliveryDetails.deliveryAddress
orderForm.noItems
ISTOCK.COM


Education


HELP YOUR CHILD DEVELOP SOCIAL SKILLS AND ENGAGE IN RICH SOCIAL EXPERIENCES By Beth Heuer, DNP, CPNP-PC, PMHS


She’s So SHY S


hyness refers to the tendency to feel anxious or awkward in social situa-


tions, especially with new and unfamiliar people. Is your child usually quiet and withdrawn when meeting new people? Do you worry that she is too shy to do well at school or make friends? Are you concerned that she isn’t outgoing or doesn’t seem to have a sense of adven- ture? If so, you may have a child with a shy temperament. Often, one or both parents of a shy child will also identify themselves as shy or awkward. Everyone can experience a little shy- ness once in a while. We can all be a bit overwhelmed by unfamiliar surroundings or different faces. In a temperamentally shy child, common behaviors such as stranger anxiety (which typically peaks at age 9 months) and separation anxiety (which peaks at age 18 months) do not improve as the child grows older. Your child may be slower to approach others or to warm up to them. Some chil- dren are only shy in certain situations, such as in new settings or with people that they don’t know well. They may be much more comfortable in small groups or with close family members, such as siblings or cousins. In early childhood, more typically


shy children may be reserved and quiet but interested in the activities around them. Their play skills are appropriate,


60


but they tend to play alone. As children grow older, they should be taught ways to manage feelings of awkwardness or anxiety so that they can engage in rich social experiences. Withdrawn children may purposefully


avoid social situations, and this can wors- en as they grow older. Some shy kids may be bullied or be seen as unpopular because they are “different.” Other kids may simply be forgotten by peers be- cause they have not found a few friends or comfortable acquaintances. Research has shown that social withdrawal, depres- sion or anxiety can develop as super-shy children move toward adolescence and adulthood. Shyness can turn into a strength once a child learns to gently open up, reduce social anxiety and develop healthy rela- tionships with others. Quiet or introverted people can develop strong intuitive skills, focus their creative energy and become nurturing leaders. With the right guidance and support, shy children can grow into strong, self-assured adults. Shyness actu- ally can become your child’s superpower. As a parent, it’s important to understand


and respect your child’s shy tempera- ment. Greet her with warmth, acceptance and patience, but don’t overprotect or overindulge her in social situations. Try to acknowledge and reward her effective coping skills. Don’t constantly comfort


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52  |  Page 53  |  Page 54  |  Page 55  |  Page 56  |  Page 57  |  Page 58  |  Page 59  |  Page 60  |  Page 61  |  Page 62  |  Page 63  |  Page 64  |  Page 65  |  Page 66  |  Page 67  |  Page 68  |  Page 69  |  Page 70  |  Page 71  |  Page 72  |  Page 73  |  Page 74  |  Page 75  |  Page 76  |  Page 77  |  Page 78  |  Page 79  |  Page 80  |  Page 81  |  Page 82  |  Page 83  |  Page 84  |  Page 85  |  Page 86  |  Page 87  |  Page 88  |  Page 89  |  Page 90  |  Page 91  |  Page 92  |  Page 93  |  Page 94  |  Page 95  |  Page 96  |  Page 97  |  Page 98  |  Page 99  |  Page 100